Jayson Tatum has become a powerhouse for the Boston Celtics, establishing himself as the face of the franchise and a crucial player in the NBA. With a championship ring under his belt, Tatum has risen to elite status, but his journey to the Celtics was anything but straightforward. In a recent interview on the Club 520 podcast, Tatum opened up about his pre-draft experience and the twists and turns that nearly derailed his path to Boston—a story filled with close calls, surprises, and a “what if” moment involving his dream team, the LA Lakers.
Before the 2017 NBA draft, Tatum was in a strong position to go high, but he wasn’t Boston’s initial choice. The Celtics held the first pick and were expected to take Markelle Fultz. Tatum recalled working out for multiple teams, including Phoenix and Boston, receiving high praise from the Celtics staff. “One of the best workouts I’ve seen,” a Celtics executive told him, adding a disappointing twist: “But we’ve got the No. 1 pick. We probably won’t pick you.” This moment left Tatum in suspense, unsure where he would land.
In a strategic move, the Celtics traded down, letting Philadelphia take Fultz at No. 1 and positioning themselves to draft Tatum at No. 3. Just as Tatum thought his path was becoming clear, another setback came from his dream team, the Lakers. Tatum, a lifelong fan of Kobe Bryant, had always wanted to wear the purple and gold. “I grew up a Kobe fan,” he said, describing his disappointment when the Lakers, holding the No. 2 pick, showed no interest in him. “They didn’t even consider drafting me; I never even worked out for them.”
Ultimately, Tatum was chosen by the Celtics, joining one of the NBA’s most storied franchises and finding a place where he could carve out his own legacy. Though he initially dreamed of playing for the Lakers, Tatum has flourished in Boston, contributing to the Celtics’ rich history and adding to their championship tally, which now outshines the Lakers’.
Tatum’s journey to the NBA didn’t go exactly as planned, but it led him to a fitting destination. The Celtics have embraced him as a cornerstone of their future, and he’s building a legacy that even his idol Kobe Bryant would admire.
